Editor, Times Union: You printed an article yesterday about teens facing charges. The story that you printed was not entirely true. Yes we were arrested for trespassing, but nobody came outside of the building to tell us to leave. We were not there to skate. We were there to meet a friend. While we were waiting only one person decided to skate, My-Shaun Beam. The rest of us stood there. In the article it also said that we "ignored" officer Richardson's request to come to the car. The only person who heard her actually say "Come here" was My-Shaun, but only because he was right next to the car. The rest of us were not close enough to the car to hear exactly what she said. The rest of us thought she said "Stay right there!" Well we were wrong. She then got out of the car and swore at us. Now, I didn't think that this is how a DARE officer should act. Swearing at kids because we didn't hear her right. Afterward, we were told that this whole incident would not be put in the paper. Another lie. Another thing that was said was that she has told us dozens of times not to skate. But, when I told her that I wasn't skating she quickly changed it to trespassing. Now, I thought that if people are allowed to play basketball, football, etc., around Lakeview, I thought surely I would not get into trouble for just standing there. When I asked why I was getting my board confiscated for just standing there, I wasn't answered. When I called Officer Richardson earlier yesterday to ask why she lied to us, she got very rude with me and even hung up on me. I'm sorry but I didn't think that this is how a "Positive Role model for kids" is supposed to act. All I want to do is inform people that the story printed about us yesterday was a lie and Officer Richardson did not tell you the entire truth. I don't know who got the story mixed up, but I have a pretty good idea who it was. I honestly didn't think that we would make the front page, when there are people getting into trouble with drugs, abuse, etc., and all they make is the county booking list about 3 pages into the paper. I thought it was very wrong to put that on the front page. I hope I got everything straightened out with who was lying and who is telling the truth.
Brandon Sensibaugh, age 16
Warsaw via e-mail Editors Note: The information in the story the writer refers to was obtained from Warsaw Police Department reports.
Reason For Season
Editor, Times-Union: The Christmas tree is the same all year around, it never loses its needles in the winter as most trees lose their leaves. This is why the tree is also called an "Evergreen" tree--it is green the year around.
Jesus Christ, who is not only the Son of God, but the infinite God-Man, never changes. He is the same all year around, not only this year but year, after year, after year--forever. This is known in theological terms as the "immutability of God."
God is always the same. He will always be the same throughout eternity.
God never differs from Himself. He is unchangeable. Man, on the other hand, is mutable, always changing. This is to his benefit. It is good for man to change, but God is God because He never changes. The Bible says in one of the first books of the Old Testament that God "is." The name Jehovah means "I am who I am." In the last book of the Bible He says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega," the first and last letter of the Greek alphabet meaning "I am the beginning and the end."
1. God's life does not change. The Bible says "I am the first, and I am also the last." Created things have a beginning and an end, but not so their creator. The answer to the child's question, "Who made God," is "God did not need to be made," for He was always there. He exists forever and He is always the same. He does not grow older, He does not wax or wane. He does not gain new powers or lose the ones He once had. He does not mature or develop. He does not get stronger or weaker or wiser as time goes by. "He cannot change for the better, for He is already perfect and being perfect, He cannot change for the worse."
Man is different and much like other trees, "We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, And wither and perish - but nothing changes Thee." God's life has not changed and never will change. God's life is always the same.
2. God's character does not change. In the course of a human life, tastes and temper may change radically. A kind man may turn bitter and grouchy; a man of good may grow cynical and callous, but this does not happen to God, His character does not change. His generosity to men and His hostility to sin speaks of God as one with whom there is no variation due to change. In other words, "God loves me, but He hates my sin." He never becomes less truthful or merciful, or just, or good, than he used to be. The character of God is today, and always will be, exactly what it was in Bible times. His compassion never fails; the Bible says "the loving kindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting." God's character never changes.
3. God's truth does not change. Isaiah writes, "All flesh is grass, the grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." The words of man are unstable things. But not so the words of God. They stand forever and abide continuous and constant. "Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in Heaven." The Scripture cannot be broken. Nothing can annul. God's truth is unchangeable.
This year with all its merchandising, do not forget that Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever. When you see a Christmas tree, you know now that it is always green so that you will remember that God in His love sent His Son Jesus to be with all of mankind for all time.
Jesus is the reason for the season. For these reasons we worship him. God's life is always the same; God's character never changes; and God's truth is unchangeable.
Jon Siesennop Warsaw
Animal Welfare
Editor, Times-Union: I volunteer at the Animal Shelter on Sundays. I would love it if people would come out and play with the animals on Sundays. I hate seeing the puppies sitting in their cages just watching me walk past, or, if you stop to talk to someone and a kitten reaches through the cage and attaches to your shirt.
I started out just wanting to walk dogs. After I saw the tremendous need for volunteers, I started cleaning cages on Sunday. Now I wish people would just come out and play with the animals. Please do not drop your children off. We don't care if you bring your kids, we just can't watch them for you.
The shelter is low on blankets and towels for the dogs to sleep on. Think of us when you are getting rid of blankets. And cats love toilet seat covers.
There are many needs that you can find on the Web site at: www. awl-warsaw.org if you are interested in any other donation.
I just would like some people to play with the animals. Please dress in your oldest clothes and come walk a dog or play with a cat. They are so much fun. We try to always be there until 3 p.m. on Sundays. Thank you.
Judy (Reed) Shepherd Warsaw
PTO Responds
Editor, Times-Union: This letter is in response to the "Fundraiser Gone Awry" letter submitted by Sharon DeLong of Pierceton.
As president of the Pierceton Elementary PTO, I cannot sit idly by and let the reputation of the organization and certain members of the PES staff to be slandered. I will take the time to reiterate that the PTO is a PARENT-TEACHER-ORGANIZATION. I have attended every month since May and not once have I seen this child's parents or teacher at any of these meetings. It is an extremely daunting task for an average committee consisting of four people to follow through on the expectations of the roughly 500 students and their parents. The bottom line is, what we do is for the good of the students of this school. Isn't it fantastic that, as an American, you can sit and complain about particular individuals and not once reach out to help. For the ones who want to "sit," we have chairs at our meetings.
Carla A. Kimberlin President, PES PTO Pierceton
Big Brothers Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union: On Sunday Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana held their 21st annual Spaghetti Dinner, prepared by Casa D'Angelo and served by volunteers. On behalf of all the children in the BBBS program, I would like to say "thank you" to the many generous businesses that donated to this event, as well as everyone that came to South Side High School and joined us for spaghetti. In addition, I would like to thank the many volunteers that worked so hard to make this event great including football teams from Bishop Luers, Bishop Dwenger, Concordia and South Side.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana serves Allen, Adams, Dekalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, Noble, Wells and Whitley counties and had over 350 children matched with positive role models last year alone. Over 150 children are still on the waiting list. Volunteers can be matched with a child age 7-17 through a wide variety of programs including One-to-One, Big Couples, Lunch Buddies, Sports Buddies, Arts Buddies and First Friends.
For more information on any of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana programs, call 456-1600 or outside Allen County 888-456-1600.
Julie Tutwiler Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana
Fort Wayne
Bad Driver
Editor, Times-Union: This is to the woman driving a white car on Ind. 25S in Palestine, Wednesday, Nov. 29th at about 6:30 p.m.
After you hit that elderly woman and realized your side mirror was broken, don't you think she sustained any damage? You should have stopped and offered assistance to get her medical help.
She has suffered a broken arm and had a difficult time doing even the simple chores before the accident.
She is a kind, sweet woman and a good friend and you have taken some freedom from her.
I can only hope that the police track you down like the criminal you are and punish you to the full extent of the law. This is not a dog or family pet, but a decent human being.
